Romance

Since Amelia had asked him so directly, Michael saw no reason to beat around the bush.

"We'll get married, and you'll give birth to the child."

His answer had been firm without any hint of hesitation.

Get married?

Amelia thought her ears were playing tricks on her. She was completely caught off-guard by his answer and felt as if he had just said something completely alien.

Furthermore, from what she understood of Michael's status, there was simply no way that he would promise to marry her—unless the child was very important to him.

An idea flickered across Amelia's mind. Could it be that Michael truly believed himself to be impotent?

"What's wrong? Are you dissatisfied with my answer?" Michael asked after noticing how Amelia hadn't responded despite how several minutes had passed.

Amelia shook her head. "It's not that. I just don't really understand."

Michael narrowed his eyes. 

Amelia wouldn't know what to do if Michael used the child and their family against her to hinder her studies when the time came.

Michael straightened up after hearing her words. "You don't have to worry about that. I promise you that I won't interfere with your life even after we marry. You'll be free to make your own decisions, including how you want to go about your studies.

"Of course, there are conditions. You can't harm the child's well-being, and you have to protect the Sutton family's reputation. As long as you adhere to these rules, you can live your life however you want."

She could live the life that she wanted?

Amelia became even more tempted. She didn't even dare to dream of leading such a life while she was growing up because she knew that it was a luxury that she couldn't afford. There was no way she wouldn't be tempted now that a golden opportunity had dropped right in

Amelia had never been to this place, but it wasn't rocket science to figure out that it was Michael's home. She couldn't help but feel that it was inappropriate for her to be there.

Unfortunately, she had nowhere else to go. Not wanting to cause any more trouble, she obediently got out of the car and followed Michael into the villa.

The interior was decorated with black and white as its main colors. The design was simple but stylish, matching the air of the owner of the villa, cold and distant.

"I don't have any women's clothes, so you'll have to make do with these for now."

Michael led her to a room and offered his own clothes to her.

Amelia hesitated briefly before accepting the clothes. Just as she was about to turn around and enter the bathroom, Michael spoke up again. 

He said, "You need to avoid getting water on the wound on your hand. Let me know if you need any help."

Amelia stiffened.

Let him know if she needed help? Did he plan to help her bathe? That was ludicrous!

"No need. I can handle it by myself."

Amelia's face was as red as a beet when she fled into the bathroom, making it obvious that she had misunderstood Michael's words.

Michael had simply meant that if she needed help, he would ask a maid to assist her. He didn't expect her to misunderstand his intentions.

However, he wasn't fond of explaining himself, so he allowed her to think whatever she wanted. He grabbed another set of clothes before heading downstairs to use the other bathroom.

Michael returned to the room after he was done freshening up. He noticed that the bathroom door was still closed, but it was unnaturally quiet. He glanced at his watch and realized that she had been bathing for close to half an hour.

Thinking about the wound on Amelia's hand, he knocked on the bathroom door and asked, "Are you alright?"

It was a challenge for Amelia to bathe herself. She couldn't get water on her right hand because of the wound, so she could only use her left hand. It was immensely inconvenient, but fortunately, she managed to get the job done.

She was just putting on the clothes when Michael knocked on the door. The shirt was loose on her, but it was big enough to cover everything that needed to be covered. It was just that she was naked under the garment, so she felt a little embarrassed to step out of the bathroom.

Amelia pursed her lips when she heard Michael's question. "I'm fine. I'll be coming out soon."

Michael's worries were assuaged when he heard her answer. He turned around and was just about to leave when he heard the bathroom door click open.

Amelia, who was dressed in his white shirt, exited the bathroom. The shirt barely covered her behind, showing off her long legs. Her fair skin seemed to glow with a radiance of its own after her bath.

She stood at the entrance of the bathroom. Her hands were hanging on either side of her curvaceous figure, and she looked a little reserved. Her wet hair cascaded past her shoulders. A few glimmering water droplets cruised down her neck, making her look sexy and delicate.

The Amelia that was standing before Michael almost seemed to be a completely different person from the Amelia who had coldly rejected him earlier.

Michael couldn't help the way the flames of his desire were being stoked. His eyes darkened, and he could feel heat spreading through his chest.

Amelia had also glanced at Michael when he looked at her. He was clad in a set of grey loungewear that was made of silk. The top buttons were undone, revealing glimpses of his defined chest. As her eyes strayed down, she could vaguely see the dips of his hips. It was sexy and alluring.

However, that wasn't the point—the point was that Michael had just finished showering too.

It was impossible to ignore the suggestive atmosphere considering how they were standing opposite each other in front of the bathroom door—a man and a woman, both of whom had just finished showering.

Amelia was beyond embarrassed.

Michael was the first one to snap back to his senses. He had immense self-control. Although he had been in a daze earlier, he was able to regain his composure in time.

"You can sleep here tonight. I'll be in the study next door."

It was already past midnight. The maids in the villa were already asleep. It was too troublesome to wake them to get them to tidy up the guest room.

Coincidentally, Michael still had some work to do, so it would be convenient for him to sleep in the study.

Amelia nodded and hummed a response. She was just a guest in the villa, after all, so she knew to go along with Michael's orders. She watched as Michael left the room and only breathed a sigh of relief when the door clicked shut.

She woke up early the next morning. When she headed downstairs, she saw Michael coming in from the front door.

He was dressed in activewear and had a white towel slung around his neck. His face was flushed like he had just finished working out. The red staining his skin made him look healthy, exuding masculinity.

Amelia guessed that he had just returned from a morning run.

"Morning," Michael greeted, nodding at her as he walked past her.

"Good morning," Amelia replied, following him into the kitchen.

Michael grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. He looked tall and handsome as he stood next to the fridge and gave off an inexplicable sense of safety.

Amelia hadn't been able to sleep much last night. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind would be filled with images of how Harry had tried to sell her in exchange for money. She had been terrified. If Michael and his men hadn't arrived in time, she wouldn't even be here right now.

She wasn't scared of dying. All human beings were destined to die from the moment they were born. But she had been reluctant to die at that moment. She wasn't willing to die yet because she had led a life that was even more pathetic than a sewer rat so far.

Amelia wanted to change her fate. She would grasp every opportunity that was offered to her, but she couldn't help but wonder if Michael was trustworthy.

"Did you need something?"

After draining the entire bottle of water, Michael turned his head to see Amelia standing nearby, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. She was staring at him, but her eyes were unfocused, making it obvious that she had something on her mind.

Only then did Amelia snap back to her senses. She nodded hesitantly before asking, "Can I talk to you?"

She looked uneasy, pursing her lips.

Michael glanced at his watch before answering, "Give me ten minutes."

Amelia nodded and watched as he went upstairs.

Ten minutes later, Michael came back downstairs as promised. He had changed into a fresh set of clothes. His hair was fresh and free of sweat. He must have taken a shower.

"What do you want to talk about?" he asked in a deep voice as he sat on the couch and gestured for her to speak.

Amelia sat opposite him. She composed herself before asking, "Is your previous proposition still on the table?"

Michael hadn't expected her to bring up this topic of all things. He mulled over his thoughts briefly before nodding and replying, "Of course."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

"I want to know what you'll do if the paternity test results prove that you're the child's father."

Since Amelia had asked him so directly, Michael saw no reason to beat around the bush.

"We'll get married, and you'll give birth to the child."

His answer had been firm without any hint of hesitation.

Get married?

Amelia thought her ears were playing tricks on her. She was completely caught off-guard by his answer and felt as if he had just said something completely alien.

Furthermore, from what she understood of Michael's status, there was simply no way that he would promise to marry her—unless the child was very important to him.

An idea flickered across Amelia's mind. Could it be that Michael truly believed himself to be impotent?

"What's wrong? Are you dissatisfied with my answer?" Michael asked after noticing how Amelia hadn't responded despite how several minutes had passed.

Amelia shook her head. "It's not that. I just don't really understand."

Michael narrowed his eyes. "Oh?"

"I'm sure you've investigated my family background. Are you sure you want to marry someone wi

Chapter 8